[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3086 Introduced in House (IH)]
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3086
To coordinate authorities within the Department of the Interior and
within the Federal Government to enhance the United States' ability to
conserve global wildlife and biological diversity, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 26, 2009
Ms. Bordallo introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To coordinate authorities within the Department of the Interior and
within the Federal Government to enhance the United States' ability to
conserve global wildlife and biological diversity, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Global Wildlife
Conservation, Coordination, and Enhancement Act of 2009''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Coordination.
Sec. 5. Relationship to other authorities.
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
PROGRAM AUTHORITY
Subtitle A--Institute for International Wildlife Conservation
Sec. 101. Institute for International Wildlife Conservation.
Subtitle B--Programs
Sec. 121. Wildlife Without Borders Program.
Sec. 122. Public outreach, education, and wildlife awareness program.
Sec. 123. Center for International Wildlife Recovery Partnerships.
Subtitle C--Enhancing Stakeholder Participation
Sec. 131. Global Wildlife Conservation Advisory Committee.
Sec. 132. International Wildlife Conservation Fund.
Subtitle D--Improving Federal Wildlife Enforcement
Sec. 141. Enhancing law enforcement activities.
TITLE II--GLOBAL WILDLIFE COORDINATION COUNCIL
Sec. 201. Global Wildlife Coordination Council.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States' role in confronting international
challenges, protecting the environment, expanding opportunities
for people, and articulating a vision for global action gives
it the opportunity to lead an international wildlife
conservation effort. Our Nation has a longstanding commitment
of assisting other countries with the conservation of wildlife
species. Wildlife conservation resources, including trained
wildlife professionals, are often unavailable or highly limited
in many foreign range States containing globally important
biological resources.
(2) Conservation activities, in the United States, in
neighboring countries in North America and the Western
Hemisphere, and overseas, are required to fulfill the Federal
Government's obligations under numerous treaties, laws,
agreements, and cooperative programs.
(3) Since 1989, the Secretary of the Interior, through the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, has provided wildlife
conservation assistance throughout the world by developing
locally adapted wildlife management and conservation programs,
in coordination with nongovernmental organizations,
governments, private businesses, community leaders, and other
stakeholders, in an effort to maintain, recover, and restore
global species diversity, habitats, and ecosystems.
(4) Specifically, the Wildlife Without Borders Program
administered by the Service has been responsible for
implementation of over 800 conservation projects through public
and private partnerships with local government,
nongovernmental, and international wildlife organizations
around the world that help to address grassroots threats to
numerous endangered or threatened wildlife species, habitats
and landscapes, and ecosystems. This Program complements other
species-specific programs implemented by the Service to
conserve global priority wildlife species and to provide
education, training, and outreach to strengthen range State
capacity for habitat and wildlife conservation throughout the
world and serve a key role in facilitating broader
international coordination.
(5) Notwithstanding the benefits of these programs, current
international wildlife conservation activities of the Service
and the Federal Government, especially technical assistance to
range States, capacity building, coordination and information
sharing among law enforcement agencies, screening and
enforcement of trade restrictions under the Convention on the
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora, and lack of knowledge by the general public regarding
the illegal and unsustainable trade in fish and wildlife and
the many benefits provided by these resources that contribute
to healthy landscapes and ecosystem function, are generally
insufficient and in need of improvement and focused attention.
(6) Although the Secretary is broadly authorized to
initiate agreements and partnerships to promote wildlife
conservation under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C.
742a et seq.), the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.), the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16
U.S.C. 661), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et
seq.), and other statutes, a specific organic authority
recognizing the role of the Secretary in coordinating
international wildlife conservation activities within the
Federal Government will help efficiency and effectiveness of
existing programs, provide for greater collaboration and
sharing of resources, and acknowledge and restore international
wildlife conservation leadership by the United States.
(7) The general public is vastly undereducated regarding
the importance of species biodiversity, the laws, treaties, and
regulations surrounding the sale, purchase, and transportation
of wildlife and wildlife products across borders, both
international and domestic, associated wildlife and wildlife-
related human health risks, and the implications, size, and
scope of the trade in wildlife and wildlife products. The
efforts being made to educate the United States public
regarding such matters are, to this point, insufficient and in
need of improvement.
(8) Nongovernmental organizations frequently hold a wealth
of knowledge, ability, experience, and expertise in matters
relating to the international conservation of wildlife, the
zoological and biological sciences associated with species
survival, the ecological issues involved with habitat
maintenance, wildlife and wildlife-related human health risks,
and the education of public audiences on issues dealing with
conservation, habitat protection, and threats to wildlife.
Establishing formal mechanisms through which the Federal
Government can actively partner with those organizations will
strengthen and enhance those international conservation efforts
undertaken by the Federal Government.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to provide specific authority to the Secretary to
coordinate activities within the Department of the Interior to
assert international leadership in the active conservation of
wildlife species and their habitats;
(2) to assist range States on a global, regional, or
species basis through a comprehensive approach that--
(A) builds local, national, and regional wildlife
conservation capacity within range States;
(B) strengthens strategic landscape and ecosystem-
level conservation planning;
(C) facilitates scientific, technical, and
financial assistance to conserve wildlife species and
their habitats;
(D) bolsters law enforcement and information
sharing;
(E) strengthens on-the-ground monitoring of
wildlife health;
(F) enhances long-term public outreach and
education opportunities; and
(G) enhances opportunities for wildlife
rehabilitation and restoration;
(3) to provide a formal coordinating authority within the
Federal Government to promote international wildlife
conservation, improve coordination, and develop a cohesive and
strategic approach to the implementation of the action strategy
developed under title II; and
(4) to demonstrate the United States' commitment to
international wildlife conservation and the preservation of
global biological diversity.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Action plan.--The term ``Action Plan'' means the Action
Plan created under section 101(d).
(2) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory Committee''
means a Global Wildlife Conservation Advisory Committee
established under section 131.
(3) Capacity building.--The term ``capacity building''
means the active process of developing and strengthening the
technical skills, abilities, administrative and management
processes, and resources that organizations and communities
need to survive, grow, learn, and adapt to variable
circumstances to successfully implement and fulfill long-term
wildlife conservation initiatives.
(4) Center.--The term ``Center'' means the Center for
International Wildlife Recovery Partnerships established under
section 123.
(5) CITES.--The term ``CITES'' means the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora.
(6) Conservation.--The term ``conservation'' includes--
(A) the methods and procedures necessary to bring a
species to the point at which there are sufficient
populations in the wild to ensure that the species does
not become extinct; and
(B) all activities associated with protection and
management of a species, including--
(i) maintenance, management, protection,
and restoration of species habitat;
(ii) research and monitoring;
(iii) law enforcement;
(iv) community outreach and education, both
of the general public and consumers of wildlife
or wildlife products; and
(v) strengthening the capacity of local
communities, government agencies,
nongovernmental organizations, and other
stakeholder institutions to implement
conservation programs and activities.
(7) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Global
Wildlife Coordination Council established under section 201.
(8) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(9) Executive director.--The term ``Executive Director''
refers to the head of the Center for International Wildlife
Recovery Partnerships, established by section 123 of this Act.
(10) Fund.--The term ``Fund'' means the International Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Fund established by section 132.
(11) Institute.--The term ``Institute'' means the Institute
for International Wildlife Conservation established under
section 101.
(12) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the Wildlife
Without Borders Program under section 121.
(13) Range state.--The term ``range State'' means a State
any portion of which is within the natural range of
distribution of a wildlife species.
(14) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(15) Service.--The term ``Service'' means the United States
Fish and Wildlife Service.
(16) Species.--The term ``species'' includes any subspecies
of fish or wildlife or plants, and any distinct population
segment of any species of vertebrate fish or wildlife.
(17) State.--The term ``State'' includes the several
States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and
the Virgin Islands.
(18) Strategic plan.--The term ``Strategic Plan'' means the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of Law
Enforcement Strategic Plan 2006-2010.
(19) Wildlife.--The term ``wildlife'' means any member of
the animal kingdom, including, but not limited to, mammals,
fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, or arthropods.
SEC. 4. COORDINATION.
The Secretary may utilize all land, services, equipment, personnel,
facilities, and resources of the Department of the Interior, its
bureaus and agencies, in furtherance of the mandates under this Act.
SEC. 5. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER AUTHORITIES.
Nothing in this Act affects authorities, responsibilities,
obligations, or powers of the Secretary under any other statute.
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
PROGRAM AUTHORITY
Subtitle A--Institute for International Wildlife Conservation
SEC. 101. INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish within the Service
the Institute for International Wildlife Conservation, which shall
implement and administer the programs authorized by this title.
(b) Assistant Director.--The Institute shall be headed by an
Assistant Director for International Wildlife Conservation, appointed
by the Secretary from among individuals with appropriate experience and
education.
(c) Functions.--The Secretary, through the Institute, shall--
(1) coordinate international conservation efforts abroad
initiated by the Department of the Interior under other
provisions of law, including the provision of monetary,
technical, and logistical assistance to on-the-ground
conservation efforts at the global, regional, and species-
specific levels in range States;
(2) enhance wildlife species conservation by focusing
efforts on long-term capacity building, conservation education,
wildlife health, wildlife adaptation to climate change impacts,
and human-wildlife conflict reduction;
(3) enhance the capabilities of the Institute to work with
domestic and international wildlife law enforcement;
(4) provide a forum for the coordination of Federal, State,
local, tribal, and nongovernmental wildlife conservation
efforts;
(5) create and maintain a public education campaign to
inform consumers of the laws guiding the buying, selling, and
transporting of fish or wildlife and their derivatives, and the
global implications of the take of wildlife and the associated
wildlife and wildlife-related human health risks; and
(6) any other functions that the Secretary considers
necessary to the promotion of wildlife conservation
internationally.
(d) International Wildlife Conservation Action Plan.--
(1) In general.--No later than one year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Assistant Director, in consultation
with the Director, the head of the Office of Law Enforcement
within the Service, and other bureaus or agencies within the
Department of the Interior responsible for the conservation of
wildlife, shall create, submit to the Committee on Natural
Resources of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on
Environment and Public Works of the Senate, and publish in the
Federal Register an International Wildlife Conservation Action
Plan consistent with the purposes of this Act.
(2) Goals and objectives.--The Action Plan shall include--
(A) a statement of goals and objectives;
(B) an implementation schedule, including a
description of future priorities to advance
international wildlife conservation; and
(C) discussion of--
(i) an assessment of existing and projected
threats facing global wildlife and their
habitats;
(ii) an evaluation of current wildlife
conservation education initiatives in the
United States and an identification of wildlife
conservation educational needs in the United
States;
(iii) creation, maintenance, and evaluation
of a wildlife education strategy, including
identification of target audiences and
selection of appropriate educational messages
and types of media to conduct public and
consumer education programs regarding trade in
wildlife and wildlife products;
(iv) an assessment of existing wildlife law
enforcement activities and enhancement
strategies for improving international wildlife
law enforcement;
(v) an evaluation of the Program, and its
effective utilization and incorporation of
principles of conservation biology and
landscape and ecosystem-level conservation for
long-term efficiency in conservation;
(vi) an evaluation of the activities of the
Center;
(vii) assessment of the effective,
efficient, and coordinated implementation of
the programs authorized under the Institute;
(viii) an assessment of existing
coordination of Federal and non-Federal
responses to address wildlife and wildlife-
related human health risks in the United
States; and
(ix) other factors considered essential by
the Assistant Director of the Institute.
(3) Consultation.--The Assistant Director, through the
Institute, shall consult with accredited zoos and aquariums,
international wildlife organizations, academic institutions,
nongovernmental organizations, and other relevant stakeholders
with expertise in wildlife conservation regarding the
development of the Action Plan.
(4) Reporting.--Beginning no later than three years after
date of enactment of this Act and biennially thereafter, the
Secretary shall report to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works in the Senate and the Committee on Natural
Resources of the House of Representatives on the implementation
of the Action Plan.
(5) Review.--The Assistant Director, through the Institute,
shall periodically review and revise the Action Plan as
necessary but no less than once every five years.
Subtitle B--Programs
SEC. 121. WILDLIFE WITHOUT BORDERS PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, through the Institute, shall carry
out a Wildlife Without Borders Program to provide international
wildlife conservation assistance through the initiation, facilitation,
and promotion of locally adapted wildlife management and conservation
programs in coordination with nongovernmental organizations,
governments, private businesses, community leaders, and other
stakeholders. The Program shall include, but shall not be limited to,
partnership programs for grassroots capacity building, landscape and
ecosystem-level conservation planning, applied scientific conservation
research, wildlife health, wildlife adaptation to climate change
impacts, application of field methods and procedures, and wildlife
management training.
(b) Program Components.--The Program shall include the following
components:
(1) Global program.--
(A) In general.--A global program, which shall,
through programs under the jurisdiction of the
Secretary that are implemented through the Service--
(i) implement global habitat and
conservation initiatives;
(ii) address the international aspects of
global conservation threats, such as climate
change, invasive species, wildlife disease,
habitat conversion, fragmentation and
degradation, and illegal and unsustainable
wildlife trade;
(iii) coordinate, to the extent
practicable, with the activities of other
Federal agencies participating in the Council
and those Federal agencies with relevant
wildlife conservation functions;
(iv) coordinate, and implement
international treaties, conventions, and
accords on behalf of the Service and in
collaboration with other appropriate Federal
agencies; and
(v) assess opportunities for transboundary
conservation initiatives that conserve wildlife
and build managing partnerships.
(B) Relationship to other law.--Nothing in this
paragraph alters the responsibilities of the Secretary
required under section 8 of the Fish and Wildlife Act
of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742g).
(2) Regional program.--A regional program, which shall--
(A) address grassroots conservation problems
through, subject to the availability of appropriations,
a regional grant program focused on capacity building
within regional range States to achieve comprehensive
landscape or ecosystem-level fish or wildlife
conservation in a manner adapted to the particular
needs of a respective range State;
(B) facilitate and guide delivery of financial,
scientific, and other technical assistance provided by
other programs conducted by the Service;
(C) develop and implement regional coordination
mechanisms necessary to implement treaties,
conventions, or accords entered into by the United
States under authority delegated to the Secretary to
promote international fish or wildlife conservation;
and
(D) develop and implement a plan to expand existing
regional programs in Mexico, Latin America and
Caribbean, Russian Far East and Africa to other
critical landscapes and wildlife habitat globally such
as increased presence in South, Central, East, and
Southeast Asia.
(3) Species program.--A species program, which shall be
comprised of administration of the Multinational Species
Conservation Funds and programs authorized by--
(A) the African Elephant Conservation Act of 1988
(16 U.S.C. 4201 et seq.);
(B) the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 (16
U.S.C. 4261 et seq.);
(C) the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of
1994 (16 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.);
(D) the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000 (16
U.S.C. 6301);
(E) the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 (16
U.S.C. 6601); and
(F) any similar authority provided to the Secretary
by laws enacted after the enactment of this Act and
implemented by the Service concerning international
fish or wildlife conservation.
(c) Coordination.--The Secretary shall operate the Program
components authorized under this section in a coordinated fashion to
ensure efficient and cost-effective implementation.
(d) Additional Components.--The Secretary may conduct under the
Program other programs that are authorized by law to be conducted by
the Secretary, to address new and emerging fish and wildlife needs and
to fulfill the purposes of this Act as the Secretary considers
appropriate.
(e) Acceptance and Use of Donations.--In administering the Program,
the Secretary may accept donations of funds, gifts, and in-kind
contributions and use such donations for capacity building, grants, and
other on-the-ground uses carried out by the Program components
authorized under subsection (b).
(f) Multiyear Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into
multiyear cooperative agreements with the heads of other Federal
agencies, range States, territories, other freely associated States,
tribal governments, local governments, academic institutions, and
nongovernmental organizations to carry out the activities authorized
under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) or to otherwise fulfill
the purposes of this Act.
SEC. 122. PUBLIC OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND WILDLIFE AWARENESS PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, through the Institute, shall
develop and conduct a multifaceted program to broadly engage the
general public and target audiences to increase public understanding
and appreciation of--
(1) global wildlife resources and biodiversity;
(2) the threats confronting wildlife populations globally;
and
(3) activities that can be undertaken to address habitat
loss and fragmentation, illegal and unsustainable trade in
wildlife and wildlife products, wildlife health, climate
change, and other threats identified by the Secretary.
(b) Educational Outreach Program.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop and
implement an educational outreach program to increase public
awareness of United States consumers concerning the importance
of international wildlife conservation and the threats of the
illegal and unsustainable consumption and trade of wildlife
resources and associated wildlife and wildlife-related human
health risks.
(2) Guidelines.--The Secretary shall publish in the Federal
Register guidelines for the program.
(3) Program components.--The program shall include the
following:
(A) Development of educational materials general.--
The Secretary shall publish and disseminate public
information regarding--
(i) laws governing the consumption and
trade of fish or wildlife or wildlife products,
in particular laws prohibiting the trade of
endangered species of wildlife and wildlife
products;
(ii) the importance of international
wildlife conservation; and
(iii) the global implications of species
and biodiversity loss.
(B) Distribution of educational materials.--The
Secretary, through the Institute, shall disseminate
educational materials in a way that--
(i) targets vendors, transporters, and
consumers of legal and illegal wildlife
products, in particular heavily trafficked
ports of tourist embarkation and return, live
or wet markets in range States where there are
wildlife or wildlife-related human health
risks, businesses and commercial enterprises
legally licensed to sell fish or wildlife
products, and businesses and commercial
enterprises potentially involved in the
movement of fish, wildlife, or wildlife
products;
(ii) utilizes a variety of media sources,
including but not limited to Internet, radio,
television, and print publications; and
(iii) broadly disseminates information
regarding international wildlife conservation,
with content and distribution specifically
designed to target conservation issues at the
global, regional, and country-specific levels.
(C) Eligible partners for education development.--
The Secretary may enter into agreements with Federal,
State, tribal, and local wildlife conservation
organizations with expertise in international wildlife
conservation education to develop and disseminate
education programs on species conservation, natural
resource adaptation to climate change, wildlife
trafficking, and wildlife and wildlife-related human
health risks in accordance with this subsection.
(D) Monitoring program.--The Secretary may support,
promote, and coordinate research on, and long-term
monitoring of, the development and distribution of
educational materials authorized under this title. Such
activities shall--
(i) study the effectiveness of the content
of educational materials in deterring the
illegal and unsustainable trade of fish,
wildlife, and wildlife products, and in
informing traders and consumers of the laws
governing the trade in fish, wildlife, and
wildlife products, associated wildlife and
wildlife-related human health risks, the
implications of global species loss, and the
importance of international conservation;
(ii) study the effectiveness of
distribution tactics designed to provide
educational resources to key audiences,
including strategic placement in areas heavily
trafficked by tourists, consumers, and traders
in fish, wildlife, and their derivatives;
(iii) develop and test methods to enhance
the global understanding of international fish
and wildlife conservation; and
(iv) update educational information
biannually, based upon new research,
conservation efforts, and regulatory changes.
(4) Consultation and coordination.--In conducting,
supporting, and coordinating the education programs authorized
under this section, the Secretary shall consult or coordinate
with Federal, State, interstate, tribal, regional agencies,
private and nongovernmental organizations, including academic
institutions, accredited zoos and aquariums, international
wildlife conservation organizations, and the Advisory
Committee, to the extent practicable.
(c) International Wildlife Conservation Fellowships.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide fellowships
for graduate and postgraduate level United States and foreign
students engaged in advanced degree programs concerning
conservation biology, zoology, ecology, animal care science,
natural resource management, education, sociology, economics,
and law related to fish and wildlife conservation, to provide
expertise and policy experience in the Federal Government in
the United States and in foreign countries.
(2) Objectives.--In awarding fellowships under paragraph
(1), the Secretary shall seek to achieve, with respect to
international wildlife conservation, the following educational
and training objectives:
(A) Provide qualified graduate and postgraduate
level individuals opportunities for participation in
the policy process within the Federal Government.
(B) Provide the Federal Government with specific
expertise in conservation biology, zoology, ecology,
animal care science, natural resource management,
education, sociology, economics, and law related to
fish and wildlife conservation to aid in the effective
implementation of the Action Plan.
(C) Provide fellows with international wildlife
conservation experience, if appropriate.
(D) Encourage fellows to contribute to capacity
building and partnerships in other nations.
(3) Guidelines for award of fellowships.--The fellowships
shall be awarded pursuant to guidelines established by the
Secretary in consultation with the Council.
(4) Term of fellowships.--A fellowship under this
subsection shall be for a period of not more than one year with
the possibility of renewal.
(5) Equal access.--The Secretary shall strive to ensure
equal access for minority and economically disadvantaged
students to participate in the fellowship program carried out
under this subsection.
(6) Administration.--The Director, through the Office of
International Affairs, shall administer fellowships awarded
under this subsection.
(7) Authorization of appropriations.--
(A) In general.--To carry out this subsection there
is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
$2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.
(B) Use for administrative costs.--Of amounts
available to carry out this subsection each fiscal
year, no more than 5 percent may be expended on
administrative costs.
SEC. 123. CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE RECOVERY PARTNERSHIPS.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish within the
Institute a Center for International Wildlife Recovery Partnerships.
The purpose of the Center shall be to--
(1) complement wildlife conservation activities undertaken
by governmental agencies outside of the United States, by
utilizing the professional and technical expertise of partner
institutions;
(2) enhance coordination and cooperation between
governmental agencies and nongovernmental stakeholders with
expertise in international wildlife conservation;
(3) facilitate, when necessary, long-term investment in
captive breeding, reintroduction, rehabilitation, release,
habitat protection, and research activities concerning wildlife
species listed as threatened species or endangered species
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.) or listed on either Appendix I or II of CITES, and
species listed on the Red List of the International Union for
the Conservation of Nature;
(4) provide technical assistance to support research and
the public education, outreach, and wildlife awareness
activities of the Institute in coordination with accredited
zoos and aquariums, and other governmental and nongovernmental
organizations with a proven record of providing conservation
education;
(5) assess opportunities for restoration of transboundary
migratory species and undertake necessary planning accordingly;
and
(6) fulfill the purposes of this Act.
(b) Executive Director.--The Director shall appoint an Executive
Director to manage the operations and activities of the Center, who
shall be qualified by reason of scientific education and experience and
knowledgeable in the principles of fisheries and wildlife management.
The Executive Director shall be accountable to the Assistant Director
of the Institute and provide regular evaluations of the implementation
of this section and the activities conducted under subsection (c).
(c) Program Activities.--To fulfill the purposes of this section,
the Center shall conduct the following activities:
(1) International wildlife research.--The Center shall
develop and implement, in consultation with the scientific
community, including accredited zoos and aquariums, an
international research program that shall focus on the areas of
captive animal care and propagation, orphaned and injured
animal rehabilitation and release, species reintroduction, and
population management.
(2) Wildlife conservation and reintroduction.--The Center,
in cooperation with Federal and non-Federal wildlife management
agencies and local, regional, and international wildlife
conservation organizations, shall provide animal care,
technical, and zoological assistance to--
(A) identify members of endangered wildlife species
that are candidates for rehabilitation and
reintroduction into the wild; and
(B) utilize its expertise and facilities to
rehabilitate endangered species and reintroduce those
species in the wild.
(3) Public education.--The Center, through its partner
institutions, and in coordination with accredited zoos and
aquariums, shall disseminate and make available to the public
information regarding the importance of biological diversity,
species conservation and survival strategies, the functions of
this Center, and other related information.
(4) International coordination.--The Center, through its
partner institutions and other stakeholders with expertise in
international wildlife conservation, shall provide biennial
assessments of the role of the United States in international
wildlife conservation, including--
(A) captive breeding and rehabilitation;
(B) species reintroduction efforts; and
(C) implementation of strategies and actions to
promote conservation of species that are listed as
threatened species or endangered species under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.), species listed on either Appendix I or II of
CITES, and species listed on the Red List of the
International Union for Conservation of Nature,
including efforts to expand collaboration and
information sharing with other zoological and
conservation organizations internationally, to the
extent practicable.
(5) Training.--The Center, to the extent practicable, and
in coordination with partner institutions, shall make its
facilities, resources, and scientific expertise available for
the training of future generations of zoological experts,
conservation leaders, natural resource managers, and wildlife
decisionmakers.
(d) Agreements.--The Executive Director of the Center, subject to
the approval of the Director and the Assistant Director, may enter into
agreements with partner institutions to establish wildlife conservation
programs, share zoological facilities and expertise, and coordinate
public outreach and education efforts to fulfill the purposes of this
section.
(e) Emergency Rehabilitation and Recovery Grants.--
(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Center may conduct a grant program to
provide grants to eligible partner institutions for
reimbursements of costs for the holding, care, and
rehabilitation of illegal fish and wildlife seized by Federal
or State law enforcement authorities.
(2) Application.--To receive a grant under this section, a
partner institution shall submit an application in such form
and manner as the Center may prescribe.
(3) Consultation.--The Executive Director shall consult
with individuals who represent public and private organizations
that are actively involved in orphaned and injured animal
rehabilitation and release regarding the development of
criteria for the implementation of the grant program and the
awarding of grants under the program.
(4) Limitation.--The amount of a grant under this section
shall not exceed $100,000.
(5) Matching requirement.--
(A) In general.--The non-Federal share of the costs
of an activity conducted with a grant under this
section shall be 25 percent of such costs.
(B) In-kind contributions.--The Executive Director
may apply to the non-Federal share of an activity
conducted with a grant under this section the amount of
funds, and the fair market value of property and
services, provided by non-Federal sources and used for
the activity.
(6) Authorization of appropriations.--
(A) In general.--To carry out this subsection there
is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
$2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.
(B) Use for administrative costs.--Of amounts
available to carry out this subsection each fiscal
year, no more than 5 percent may be expended on
administrative costs.
(f) Partner Institution Defined.--In this section, the term
``partner institution'' means a facility, institution, or organization
that--
(1) operates a professionally accredited zoological
facility or aquarium;
(2) retains professional animal care personnel, biologists,
conservation biologists, zoologists, animal care scientists,
animal behavioralists, ecologists, and other experts with
technical knowledge of the zoological and animal behavioral
sciences necessary to conduct conservation activities including
species propagation and rehabilitation, captive breeding,
zoological research, and wildlife reintroduction;
(3) has under its control sufficient land holdings to
maintain captive wildlife species in a freerange condition; or
(4) has demonstrated capabilities to conduct effective
outreach and education programs and activities to increase
awareness and appreciation of wildlife conservation within the
general public.
Subtitle C--Enhancing Stakeholder Participation
SEC. 131. GLOBAL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) In General.--The Assistant Director may establish a Global
Wildlife Conservation Advisory Committee to advise and make
recommendations to the Secretary regarding the creation, maintenance,
and coordination of international wildlife conservation programs
authorized under this title.
(b) Guidelines.--The Secretary shall publish in the Federal
Register guidelines for the Advisory Committee.
(c) Purpose.--The purpose of the Advisory Committee shall be to
advise the Assistant Director on--
(1) the administration, management, and coordination of
international wildlife conservation efforts authorized under
this title;
(2) the effectiveness and cost efficiency of the
implementation of the programs authorized under this title;
(3) future expansion of international conservation efforts;
and
(4) any other purpose identified as appropriate and
necessary by the Assistant Director.
(d) Membership.--Members of the Advisory Committee shall be
qualified by education, training, and experience and may be appointed
by the Assistant Director from among--
(1) individuals employed by Federal or State agencies who
have expertise in international wildlife conservation; natural
resources management; wildlife health; international relations,
public policy, sociology, economics, and law related to fish
and wildlife conservation; law enforcement; or border
protection; and
(2) representatives of public and private organizations who
have expertise in the conservation of wildlife internationally,
global wildlife trade, wildlife law enforcement, natural
resource management, wildlife health, wildlife education, or
zoological studies.
(e) Staffing and Assistance.--The Secretary may make available to
the Advisory Committee any staff, information, administrative services,
or assistance the Secretary determines is reasonably required to enable
the Advisory Committee to carry out its functions.
(f) Public Participation and Procedural Matters.--The Advisory
Committee shall conduct its business meetings in accordance with the
following requirements:
(1) Meetings.--The Advisory Committee shall--
(A) meet at least twice per year;
(B) conduct each meeting of the Advisory Committee
open to the public; and
(C) provide, at each meeting, an opportunity for
interested persons to present oral or written
statements concerning items on the agenda.
(2) Notice.--The Advisory Committee shall publish timely
notice of each meeting of the Advisory Committee, including the
time, place, and agenda of the meeting, locally and in the
Federal Register.
(3) Minutes.--The Secretary shall keep minutes of each
meeting of the Advisory Committee and make such minutes
available to the public.
(g) Reporting.--The Advisory Committee shall report to the
Assistant Director every year with an evaluation of the implementation
of this Act and the programs authorized therein.
(h) Exemption From Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Advisory
Committee.
SEC. 132. INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION FUND.
(a) Fund.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury a
separate account, which shall be known as the International
Wildlife Conservation Fund.
(2) Contents.--The Fund shall consist of--
(A) donations, gifts, and contributions received by
the Secretary for international wildlife conservation;
and
(B) such amounts as are appropriated to the
Secretary for conserving wildlife internationally.
(3) Restriction on use of funds.--Amounts in this Fund
shall not be used to support the Wildlife Without Borders
Program or to supplement funds made available for the
Multinational Species Conservation Funds.
(4) Use.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B) and
subject to the availability of appropriations, the
Secretary may use amounts in the Fund to further the
purposes of this Act, including--
(i) to provide financial, technical, and
other assistance to conserve fish and wildlife
in their range States, educate the public about
the importance of international wildlife
conservation, coordinate conservation efforts
internationally, and otherwise enhance and
fulfill the purposes of this Act;
(ii) to increase interagency coordination
to streamline first response tactics in the
case of illegal fish or wildlife seizures and
suspected illegal activity involving fish or
wildlife or wildlife products, associated
wildlife and wildlife-related human health
risks and to support the Global Wildlife
Coordination Council as authorized by this Act;
(iii) to support the programs, grants, and
projects authorized under this Act;
(iv) to strengthen wildlife law enforcement
capabilities in the United States and build
partnerships with local government and foreign
nations to strengthen on-the-ground wildlife
law enforcement capacity;
(v) to enhance public and consumer
awareness of the importance of international
wildlife conservation;
(vi) to enhance nongovernmental
participation and coordination in furthering
global fish and wildlife conservation efforts;
and
(vii) to further the purposes of the
Advisory Committee.
(B) Administration.--Of amounts in the Fund
available for each fiscal year, the Secretary may
expend not more than 3 percent, or up to $150,000,
whichever is greater, to administer the Fund.
(b) Acceptance and Use of Donations.--The Secretary may accept and
use monetary donations, gifts, and in-kind contributions for capacity
building, grants, and other on-the-ground uses to further the purposes
of this Act. Amounts received by the Secretary in the form of monetary
donations or gifts shall be transferred to the Secretary of the
Treasury for deposit into the Fund.
(c) Non-Federal Match Requirement.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
total amount of Federal funds expended for any international
fish and wildlife conservation grant or project may not exceed
50 percent of the total cost of such project. The non-Federal
share of such project costs may be provided by in-kind
contributions and other noncash support.
(2) Waiver.--The Assistant Director may waive all or part
of the matching requirement under paragraph (1) for a project
if the Assistant Director determines that no reasonable means
are available through which applicants can meet the matching
requirement for the project and the probable benefit of such
project outweighs the public interest in such matching
requirement.
(d) Administration.--The Secretary may enter into an agreement with
the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to promote international fish
and wildlife conservation. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation,
established under the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.), shall receive, hold, and
administer funds received by the Secretary pursuant to this section.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation shall invest, reinvest, and
otherwise administer the Fund to support partnerships between the
public and private sectors that further the purposes of this Act.
Amounts received by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation under
this subsection may be used for matching, in whole or in part,
contributions (whether in money, services, or property) made to the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation by private persons and State and
local government agencies.
Subtitle D--Improving Federal Wildlife Enforcement
SEC. 141. ENHANCING LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, through the Service, shall
implement activities to strengthen and enhance the Service's efforts,
through its Office of Law Enforcement, to strengthen Federal
authorities regarding the conservation of wildlife and the interstate
and international trade in wildlife in furtherance of this Act and
consistent with the Strategic Plan.
(b) Revisions to the Strategic Plan.--The Secretary, through the
Service and the Office of Law Enforcement, and no later than three
years after the date of enactment of this Act, shall revise the
Strategic Plan to compliment, where applicable, the policies and
initiatives of this Act. The revised Strategic Plan shall include as
objectives the following elements:
(1) A plan to increase, both domestically and abroad,
cooperative law enforcement, to enhance information sharing,
and to build greater collaboration, where practicable, in the
conduct of investigations.
(2) Action to expand outreach and education efforts
designed to increase compliance with, and knowledge of, Federal
and international wildlife laws.
(3) Development and implementation of necessary tools to
participate in international wildlife database systems, share
and collect information with other international law
enforcement agencies regarding international wildlife crimes,
and develop, in collaboration with other Federal and
international law enforcement agencies, a consolidated wildlife
crime database to be maintained and utilized for international
and domestic wildlife crimefighting activities.
(4) Strengthening and investing in the National Fish and
Wildlife Forensics Laboratory, and the Office of Law
Enforcement's Intelligence Unit.
(5) A plan for the projected hiring and training needs for
law enforcement personnel as necessary to fulfill the purposes
of this Act.
(6) Estimates for a capital procurement program to build or
acquire new facilities and equipment as necessary.
(7) Development of a wildlife cybercrime unit to
investigate illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade and other
wildlife-related crimes that occur on the Internet or through
other electronic means.
(8) A plan to develop training initiatives for capacity
building in range States, to improve international law
enforcement cooperation and to reduce human-wildlife conflict
and associated wildlife and wildlife-related human health
risks, both domestically and abroad.
(9) Any other activities considered necessary by the
Secretary to fulfill the purposes of this Act.
(c) Reporting.--
(1) Reports to secretary.--The Chief of Law Enforcement of
the Office of Law Enforcement shall report to the Secretary on
a regular basis on the implementation and effectiveness of the
activities carried out pursuant to subsection (b) to improve
wildlife conservation and law enforcement internationally.
(2) Inclusion in biennial reports.--The Secretary shall
include a detailed discussion of the activities carried out
under this section as part of the biennial report required
under section 101(d).
(d) Donations.--The Secretary, through the Director, may accept and
receive donations, gifts, and other contributions in the form of
tactical supplies, equipment, and financial aid on a reimbursable or
nonreimbursable basis to carry out activities pursuant to subsection
(b).
(e) Authority Not Effected.--Nothing in this Act lessens or
diminishes the authority granted to the Service under subsections (a)
through (d) and (k) of section 3 of the Fish and Wildlife Improvement
Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 742l).
TITLE II--GLOBAL WILDLIFE COORDINATION COUNCIL
SEC. 201. GLOBAL WILDLIFE COORDINATION COUNCIL.
(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Global Wildlife
Coordination Council.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Council shall be to lead,
coordinate, and strengthen Federal Government actions to better assist
and collaborate with other nations to preserve, protect, conserve, and
manage international wildlife resources and their habitats.
(c) Duties.--The Council shall--
(1) coordinate, in cooperation with other nations,
territories, freely associated States, commonwealths, tribal
and local governments, and academic and nongovernmental
partners if appropriate, Federal agency activities regarding
monitoring and surveying, management, research, conservation,
restoration, or recovery of global wildlife populations and
their habitats;
(2) monitor and coordinate Federal agency responsibilities
to fulfill the policies and United States obligations under
CITES or other international obligations;
(3) assess the role of the United States regarding
international trade in wildlife and wildlife products, the
activities of Federal agencies to enforce trade restrictions
and regulations, and the effects of the demand for wildlife
products created by United States consumers on the protection
of global wildlife resources and maintenance of global
biodiversity; and
(4) encourage implementation of appropriate strategies and
actions by Federal agencies, consistent with existing Federal
laws and regulations, to promote the long-term protection,
conservation, management, and sustainable use of wildlife
resources worldwide.
(d) Membership.--The Council shall be comprised of the following
members or their representatives:
(1) The Secretary, who shall be the chairperson of the
Council.
(2) The Secretary of State.
(3) The Secretary of Commerce.
(4) The Secretary of Defense.
(5) The Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of
Engineers.
(6) The Secretary of Homeland Security.
(7) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(8) The Administrator of the Agency for International
Development.
(9) The Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency.
(10) The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
(11) The Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(12) The Chair of the White House Council of Environmental
Quality.
(e) Responsibilities of Federal Agency Members.--The members of the
Council shall--
(1) identify the actions of their agencies that may affect,
positively or negatively, global wildlife resources and their
habitats;
(2) utilize the programs and authorities of their agencies,
consistent with existing missions and authority, to protect and
enhance the conditions of such resources and fulfill the
purposes of this Act; and
(3) assist in the implementation of the global wildlife
action strategy developed under subsection (g) of this section,
projects initiated or funded by the Secretary pursuant to
section 101, and any other coordinated efforts approved by the
Council.
(f) Chairperson.--
(1) Duties.--The chairperson of the Council shall
administer performance of the functions of the Council and
facilitate coordination and communication among Council
members.
(2) Working groups.--The chairperson may establish working
groups as necessary to meet the purposes of this Act. The
Council may request the chairperson to establish such a working
group.
(3) Participation by nongovernmental organizations.--The
chairperson shall invite nongovernmental organizations or
academic institutions to participate in such working groups.
(g) Global Wildlife Action Strategy.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year after date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, on behalf of the Council,
shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate and publish in the Federal Register a
global wildlife action strategy developed by the Council and
consistent with the purposes of this Act. The Secretary, in
consultation with the Council, shall periodically review and
revise the action strategy as necessary.
(2) Goals and objectives.--The action strategy shall
include a statement of goals and objectives and an
implementation plan, including a description of the funds
required to be obligated each year by the Secretary, from
amounts made available by the International Wildlife
Conservation Fund, to advance international wildlife
conservation in accordance with the action strategy. The action
strategy and implementation plan shall include discussion of--
(A) existing and projected threats facing global
wildlife and their habitats;
(B) an assessment of existing international
wildlife conservation programs within the Federal
Government and recommendations to improve their
effectiveness, efficiency, and collaboration with other
governmental and nongovernmental wildlife conservation
activities;
(C) identification of priorities for a long-term,
sustained commitment by the United States to
international wildlife conservation;
(D) components necessary to initiate and sustain
capacity building for effective wildlife conservation
in foreign nations, including surveys and monitoring,
ecological and biological research, wildlife
management, and other components;
(E) an assessment of illegal and unsustainable
trade in wildlife and wildlife products and associated
wildlife and wildlife-related human health risks, and
steps necessary to improve coordination and
administration, technical assistance, information
sharing, and screening and interdiction activities
among law enforcement agencies to prevent that trade;
(F) utilization and incorporation of principles of
conservation biology and landscape and ecosystem-level
conservation to guide long-term planning to maintain
biodiversity;
(G) identification of target audiences and
selection of appropriate types of media to conduct
public and consumer education programs regarding trade
in wildlife and wildlife products; and
(H) other factors considered essential by the
Secretary and the Council.
(3) Consultation.--The Secretary and the Council may
consult with foreign governments, academic institutions, and
nongovernmental organizations in the development of the action
strategy.
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